Diabetes: Pregnancy & Beyond with Danielle Blanchard

In this episode, we talk with mother of two, Danielle Blanchard, about navigating pregnancy, Cesarean births, NICU stays and breastfeeding as a Type 1 diabetic.  After discussing the difference between gestational diabetes and Type 1 diabetes and then Danielle shares the interesting story of how she was diagnosed as toddler. 

We discuss advice she received while planning to get pregnant, diabetes challenges during pregnancy and pressures she felt about her first birth.  She shares the emotional process of being pregnant with varying blood sugars as well as an unexpected NICU stay.  She also shares her struggles with breastfeeding both of her children and what she ultimately thought helped her with breastfeeding her second for longer than two years. 

Danielle started a group on Facebook for adults living with Type 1 Diabetes in Massachusetts, the  Massachusetts Type One Diabetes Meet Up.  We also encourage listeners who are interested in learning more about gestational, Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to see the website of the American Diabetes Association.

Recorded Wednesday, March 31, 2021